Hypertension Centers will be accredited at two (2) levels, "Hypertension Practice Center" and "Comprehensive Hypertension Center", with the "Comprehensive Hypertension Center" encompassing research and education. One over-arching criterion for accreditation of a Hypertension Center is that the facility will be directed by a physician who has received designation as a Hypertension Specialist by the Hypertension Specialist Program of ASH.

COMPREHENSIVE HYPERTENSION CENTERS CRITERIA:

These Centers are located in either academic medical centers or in large multi-specialty clinics. These centers may exist independently or as part of larger divisions or departments.

Director must be an ASH Certified Specialist in Clinical Hypertension and hold an academic appointment

Director must be a current member of the American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH) and a Fellow of the American Society of Hypertension (FASH)

Majority of practice must be devoted to patients with hypertension and related disorders

Recognition as referral and treatment resource for resistant and secondary hypertension, and alternative therapies.

Personnel are certified in recording blood pressure and in maintaining equipment for both the Center and self-monitoring for patients

Given the recent approval of the Hypertension Taxonomy Code by the AMA scheduled that took effect October 2011, Hypertension Specialists in ASH Certified Centers are able to bill Third Party Payers for reimbursement of appropriate Hypertension Services

Presentation of a plaque and decals confirming certification

Listing in national roster of ASH Certified Hypertension Centers on the ASH Website